Nigerian passport

Nigerian passport
Issued by	Nigeria
Type of document	Passport
Purpose	Identification
Eligibility requirements	Nigerian citizenship

Nigerian passports are issued to Nigerian citizens to travel outside of Nigeria. Nigeria now offers only electronic passports for new passport applications. These electronic passports, known also as the e-passport, are classified as either Standard or Official e-passport, depending on intended use.

Applying for Nigerian Passports Nigerian passports can be applied for either at the physical location of the Nigeria Immigration Services, or by making submission through its website. Nigerians living in other countries may contact the nearest Nigerian embassy or consulate for guidelines about how to renew or obtain a passport.

Nigeria standard e-passport guidelines An applicant who wishes to obtain the Nigeria standard e-passport is expected to come for the e-passport interview with a local government letter of identification, birth certificate, or age declaration, and a recently taken passport-sized color photograph, which must show applicant's full face down to the neck, without any discoloration.

The applicant is also expected to come along with a guarantor’s form, sworn to before a Commission of Oaths/Magistrate/High Court Judge. A parents’ letter of consent is required in the case of a minor, below the age of 16. A marriage certificate is also required when applicable. When an applicant seeks to recover or replace a stolen, damaged or lost passport, a police report is also required.

Official passport The official e-passport, which is primarily reserved for certain classes of government officials and Nigerian diplomats, is also obtainable through same processes as the Standard and seekers are to come for collection with a letter of identification issued from the appropriate State Government, Federal Government, Ministry/organization, a marriage certificate when applicable, a letter of appointment and a letter showing a new designation/promotion.

Both passport and application form, with supporting documents, are to be submitted at the passport office for further processing.

Whether it is a Standard or Official passport type, an application form, acknowledgement slip, payment receipt and two recent photographs are required and if it is done online, the applicant should print out a copy of the duly completed and signed application form to the application office for further processing.

The applicant should package together with application form, photocopy of the guarantor’s data page of Nigeria Standard Passport, driving license or National Identity Card, before submission.

Receiving the new e-passport With your e-passport, you are sure of acquiring a visa to visit any country of choice for various intended purposes; bearing in mind that visa will not be issued if you fail to meet the mandatory visa requirements as stipulated by the Consulate of desired country of visit.

Nationals are also advised to ensure the validity if their passports exceeds the period of stay they intend to spend in a foreign country, since some countries mandate that a passport must be valid for six months beyond date of entry.

To avoid any unwarranted embarrassment, you should, prior to your journey, verify if your destination requires the six months rule to make sure your passport validity is in line with intended period of stay, and as you embark on the trip, make a photocopy of the identification page in your new passport and keep it separately from your passport while abroad.

Owing to the importance of your passport, it is advised that you leave the passport photocopy at home. Note that the passport must contain empty pages to accommodate your visa.

If the pages in your passport are filled with either visas or entry and exit stamps, then you need to apply for a new passport, even if the passport has not expired.

Permission to land in Nigeria A foreign national is permitted entry into Nigeria when he/she has been able to show that he is credible having met the entire basic mandatory prerequisites needed for visa issuance under due processes.

Just like every other embassy across the globe, all categories of Nigerian visas are made available to applicants who wish to travel to Nigeria for various intended reasons, and as in all cases, the pricing information concerning various visa fees, requirements and processing times vary, depending on the type you need.

Applicants can apply to get a Nigeria visa from countries where they are domiciled or at any Nigeria mission nearest to countries of residence.

Basic visa requirements Foreign nationals visiting Nigeria should get themselves equipped to meet the Consular officers with original formal invitation letter, copy of applicant’s international passport data page, and online visa application form which should be attached with a recently taken specified passport photograph, showing clearly applicant’s face without any discolorations.

The applicant is expected also to provide a documentary evidence of online payment, return air tickets and his/her itinerary to Nigeria, including evidence of hotel reservation and or accommodation.

Intended applicants are advised to note that the above-mentioned requirements are not a complete list of requirements needed for any particular category of visa to permit entry into Nigeria. The above-mentioned are just the basic list of requirements that are common to all Nigeria visa categories and vary as applied to specific cases.

Nigerian citizens can travel to member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Languages

Igbo Hausa Yoruba Ijaw Igala

The data page/information page is printed in English and French.

See also

• ECOWAS passports
• List of passports
• Visa requirements for Nigerian citizens

External links

• Nigerian Embassy in the Netherlands
• Obtaining Nigeria e-passport